Bighorn
Guest
can anyone let me know what spark plug spanner I need. I rang the dealer today, and they said i need two different ones for the two spark plugs on each cylinder???? but they are the same type. I'm confused!!!!
Steve E
Registered user
A standard 16mm spark plug socket is what you need. Both spark plugs are the same. I think the dealer is trying to pull the wool or take the p*ss.
Steve
Steve
Long long years ago removing the spark plugs was about the only job abut which I fet confident. NOW - be careful; it is easy to damage wiring. Invest in a Haynes manual. There should be a special tool in your toolkit.
Bighorn
Guest
The tool kit that come with the bike is very minimal, this is the first bike i've ever had that didn't come with a spark plug spanner!!
Cheers
Cheers
Gabby
Registered user
Got mine from Halfords:
16mm Extra Long Magnetic Spark Plug Spanner. Just the job for that long reach in.
To be sure take a sparkplug in with you to make sure it fits before you buy it.
PS - Be carfull when you remove the caps as they are also the coils! Use the tool in the tool kit to remove the cap, push it to one side to hold onto the cap quite hard then pull firmly.
16mm Extra Long Magnetic Spark Plug Spanner. Just the job for that long reach in.
To be sure take a sparkplug in with you to make sure it fits before you buy it.
PS - Be carfull when you remove the caps as they are also the coils! Use the tool in the tool kit to remove the cap, push it to one side to hold onto the cap quite hard then pull firmly.
The Bede
Registered user
... I would double check your 16mm deep socket thingy, it's a very narrow access tube once you've wellied the cap off.
... The BMW one tool fits all jobby has a thin wall so it can just squeeze in there nice n snug, many sockets are too thick-walled.
... Dealers can supply the BWM tool easily enough.
... The BMW one tool fits all jobby has a thin wall so it can just squeeze in there nice n snug, many sockets are too thick-walled.
... Dealers can supply the BWM tool easily enough.
The early 2004 models like mine came with a half-decent tool kit which included a box-type plug spanner. Then BMW went all cheap-ass and gave away something resembling a kids toy kit for a tool roll.
DO NOT go fording rivers without a plug spanner in your tools. Two mates went fording without me on their later models with crap toolkits, water was ingested into a mates engine. The resulting attempt to crank the engine over broke the starter motor. An expensive repair.
DO NOT go fording rivers without a plug spanner in your tools. Two mates went fording without me on their later models with crap toolkits, water was ingested into a mates engine. The resulting attempt to crank the engine over broke the starter motor. An expensive repair.
Both sides of the question
"......DO NOT go fording rivers without a plug spanner in your tools...." The question is, out of the 100,000 plus models sold, what proportion of them wil be fording rivers etc.? My earliest BMW's, some thirtyyears ago, were equipped with expensive toolkits, first aid kit, security lock, etc;etc; When the bikes were sold I was 'proud' to include these items, all unused of course. As i had a garage fll of tools, many marked with an arrow (remember?) I avoided using my expensive BMW tools.
I recently exchanged my 2004 model which did have a few tools - again unused except perhaps one for removing the oil filling cap.
When I started motoring a long time ago, no one would venture far without a comprehensive toolkit. Now most people hardly know how to open the bonnet!
"......DO NOT go fording rivers without a plug spanner in your tools...." The question is, out of the 100,000 plus models sold, what proportion of them wil be fording rivers etc.? My earliest BMW's, some thirtyyears ago, were equipped with expensive toolkits, first aid kit, security lock, etc;etc; When the bikes were sold I was 'proud' to include these items, all unused of course. As i had a garage fll of tools, many marked with an arrow (remember?) I avoided using my expensive BMW tools.
I recently exchanged my 2004 model which did have a few tools - again unused except perhaps one for removing the oil filling cap.
When I started motoring a long time ago, no one would venture far without a comprehensive toolkit. Now most people hardly know how to open the bonnet!
Brian, a few of us owners dare to try a bit of fording and adventure use. Nothing too deep of course.
Just hoping to advise a few new owners who might be keen to try without realising the risks should they get in a bit too deep (no pun intended).
Tools with government arrows in the garage, tut tut old chap. Must have been bought at a car boot sale I expect. I fondly remember the days of my early youth when a motorist had a decent toolkit too, its amazing what you can fix with a few simple tools and the motivation of 'necessity' when stuck at the roadside.
Just hoping to advise a few new owners who might be keen to try without realising the risks should they get in a bit too deep (no pun intended).
Tools with government arrows in the garage, tut tut old chap. Must have been bought at a car boot sale I expect. I fondly remember the days of my early youth when a motorist had a decent toolkit too, its amazing what you can fix with a few simple tools and the motivation of 'necessity' when stuck at the roadside.
Deleted account 210609001
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I always struggle to get the caps/coils off with the special puller thing. It seems to slip off. Can anyone explain the knack that must be needed?
Bighorn
Guest
Cheers all, there was no tool to remove the caps in my tool kit, the dealer advised i buy one, they're only £2.00 and they keep them in stock, should i buy a couple are they easy to break? I'm also interested in who/what the knack is.
I also agree with previous comments, i hardly use the tool kit as i have one tool kit on all my bikes and one set in the garage, sounds excessive, but it means that every time i take a bike out i don't have to spend time sorting kit out, but i don't really want to be caught with my trousers down
i've seen a 16mm long in Holfords for a fiver, and I'm going to get a spare plug and make sure it fits. I appreciate spark plugs live a long time, but if i say I've never cracked the ceramics when taking one out etc, I'd be a fibber (can we still use that word
).
geat site this
I also agree with previous comments, i hardly use the tool kit as i have one tool kit on all my bikes and one set in the garage, sounds excessive, but it means that every time i take a bike out i don't have to spend time sorting kit out, but i don't really want to be caught with my trousers down
i've seen a 16mm long in Holfords for a fiver, and I'm going to get a spare plug and make sure it fits. I appreciate spark plugs live a long time, but if i say I've never cracked the ceramics when taking one out etc, I'd be a fibber (can we still use that word
).geat site this
The dealer is right - there are two plug wrenches required. Essentially the BMW tools include two - one of which is an extension. These are available from BMW for just a few quid if you want the BMW or much cheaper from KTM!
As for the plug /coil cap removal tool............the plastic BMW one is rubbish! It used to work great on the older bikes which had central coils but the fit of the current plug /coil cap is very tight and the plastic tool just slips off.
There are some aluminium ones available or alternatively...........I only ever need to check / change the plugs at the same time as doing the valves, so all I do is undo the rocker cover bolts and remove the rocker cover with the plug /coil cap in situ - easy!
As for the plug /coil cap removal tool............the plastic BMW one is rubbish! It used to work great on the older bikes which had central coils but the fit of the current plug /coil cap is very tight and the plastic tool just slips off.
There are some aluminium ones available or alternatively...........I only ever need to check / change the plugs at the same time as doing the valves, so all I do is undo the rocker cover bolts and remove the rocker cover with the plug /coil cap in situ - easy!
"......Brian, a few of us owners dare to try a bit of fording and adventure use. Nothing too deep of course....." Most of us will both envy and admire you. In the days when I went off-road my bikes were not carrying screens, fairings, panniers, etc; because IF you go off road I do think you should be prepared for the bike falling over some time -who dares to disagree? Check the price of brake levers, headlamp glasses, footrests etc; - it can be an expensive exercise!
However the point I was making is that those brave few will need a more comprehensive toolkit but for most of us (dare I say it) a portable phone and a list of the nearest BMW agents is all we require.
However the point I was making is that those brave few will need a more comprehensive toolkit but for most of us (dare I say it) a portable phone and a list of the nearest BMW agents is all we require.
Halfords +1
But I haven't had to change a plug at the roadside since my GP100 days
But I haven't had to change a plug at the roadside since my GP100 days
EggChaser
Registered user
I put the plastic puller over the cap and then use two hands to pull outwards on the loop which should have the effect of tightening the 'hooks' around the cap itself, can usually get them out this way - note it took me a long time at the side of a ford on my 1100S to work this out and I did get very annoyed with the flimsey tool
Halfords +1
But I haven't had to change a plug at the roadside since my GP100 days
I used to have to take a plug out of my KH250 and heat it up on the gas cooker to get the bloody thing to start on cold mornings
I used to have to take a plug out of my KH250 and heat it up on the gas cooker to get the bloody thing to start on cold mornings
Merely confirming my suspicions about it being Grim Up North!
I eventually sorted out the recurring gummed up spark plug by fitting an expansion exhaust and revving the little Suzuki properly, worked a treat
Perhaps I'm being thick, but I thought that spark plugs were designed to be the same size ie one spanner would fit all spark plugs.
Mmmm. Fair point re the total numbers sold, but the percentage of the people on this site who may go fording will rocket. I take it you haven't met Fanum and been encouraged to go on one of his rideouts.
There must be a knack to it Robin, as I can't get the plastic thing to work either. When my spark plugs needed taking out after a fording "incident" I'm pretty sure they just prised them off with a blunt screwdriver.
Got a few "arrow" brand tools myself
Rule no. 1. If you've the tools with you when you're out on the bike you won't need them
Rule no. 2. If you don't have it with you, you might just need it
Happy memories
"....I used to have to take a plug out of my KH250 and heat it up on the gas cooker to get the bloody thing to start on cold mornings."
A technique that I still use at times - on the lawnmower!
"....I used to have to take a plug out of my KH250 and heat it up on the gas cooker to get the bloody thing to start on cold mornings."
A technique that I still use at times - on the lawnmower!
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